notice anything disheartening? Other than Vince wilfork, most of the other free agents that would up grade us at positions of need are restricted free agents, meaning we would have to sacrifice draft picks for them, something our braintrust just aint cool with (and rightfully so, imo). Now, i think it is however remotely possible to land both Wilfork and Marshall, if a) the price is right and b) our braintrust is willing to pay that price. I think the patsies are going to let wilfork put his toe in the free agent market before offering him a contract just to get a feel of what he may be worth as i believe if a big extension was in the works it would have already been in at least the earliest stages. And brandon marshall has been such a headache for josh mcdaniels that they may only give a token tender, like a 3rd and/or a 5th rounder, just for the sake of business when in all actuallity they just want him gone. Imo, the addition of these two would offer way more flexibility in the draft as it would plug 2 young talented players at positions of need and allow us to focus on LBs, a safety, and perhaps a TE, whereas without any free agent pick ups, we may be forced to take terrance cody over lets say rolondo mclain, simply out of need (just an example, don't fret) So 'tis the season for far-fetched wishing lets play around with some scenarios, shall we??

i hope so to hypo, as right now are prospects of getting serious help via free agency is restricted to say the least. another name to toss around and think about might be casey hampton. bill parcells knows as well as anyone good NTs are a rare comodity and he may be just a tad more lenient in when it comes to the acquisition of someone to man what is arguably the most important position in a 34 defense. Imo, in order to give mike nolan the tools to git-r-done, we have to solidify that position with one of 3 guys 1) vince wilfork 2) casey hampton 3) terrance cody. really wish we could land Suh, but not even in fantasy land is that even a remote possibility.

I don't think Suh would be very viable as a NT in our defense. Plus, he's not dropping, and we're not moving up.

I would do anything to get Wilfork...as a Canes fan (and as an absolute Pats hater, mind you) I've always loved Vince and root for him (and him only) when he plays. Plus it doesn't help he's an absolute beast at NT and I think I'm going to send about 30 letters to the Miami Dolphins explaining why we should nab him LOL.

Seriously though, if we want to be competitive (as in playoffs and playoff wins) next season we need to address at least one need via FA IMO. Whether it be Wilfork, Marshall, Hampton, Dansby, Brackett (p much impossible, he's not leaving Indy), we need to pick up a FA starter to alleviate some draft pressures. And by draft pressures I mean not only are the Big 3 under pressure to pick the rights picks for us, but our draft picks themselves are expected to be a force right away (like some of our other rookie, 2nd, and 3rd year players on our squad right now) and I don't see us picking up a viable safety, NT, ILB, WR, and OLB in the draft, it's just not going to happen. And while I do know that Parcells has a knack for picking up good draft prospects at NT, and many good NTs are found in later rounds as well (many d-lineman for that matter), I think we need to go after a guy like Wilfork. Having Fergie as a verteran NT was such a HUGE advantage, we really don't want to see our starting NT next season be Paul or some developing DT.

So really I'm hoping a new agreement is reached last-minute, because I see Miami as being a place that UFAs would want to go to for the most part and I could see us making a few good moves if it doesn't mean costing us a few draft picks for an RFA.

darn I can't wait for this to all pan out. I hate the offseason; it takes forever for anything to happen. At least during the season what you've been waiting for all week will come on Sunday.

I don't think Suh would be very viable as a NT in our defense. Plus, he's not dropping, and we're not moving up.

I would do anything to get Wilfork...as a Canes fan (and as an absolute Pats hater, mind you) I've always loved Vince and root for him (and him only) when he plays. Plus it doesn't help he's an absolute beast at NT and I think I'm going to send about 30 letters to the Miami Dolphins explaining why we should nab him LOL.

Seriously though, if we want to be competitive (as in playoffs and playoff wins) next season we need to address at least one need via FA IMO. Whether it be Wilfork, Marshall, Hampton, Dansby, Brackett (p much impossible, he's not leaving Indy), we need to pick up a FA starter to alleviate some draft pressures. And by draft pressures I mean not only are the Big 3 under pressure to pick the rights picks for us, but our draft picks themselves are expected to be a force right away (like some of our other rookie, 2nd, and 3rd year players on our squad right now) and I don't see us picking up a viable safety, NT, ILB, WR, and OLB in the draft, it's just not going to happen. And while I do know that Parcells has a knack for picking up good draft prospects at NT, and many good NTs are found in later rounds as well (many d-lineman for that matter), I think we need to go after a guy like Wilfork. Having Fergie as a verteran NT was such a HUGE advantage, we really don't want to see our starting NT next season be Paul or some developing DT.

So really I'm hoping a new agreement is reached last-minute, because I see Miami as being a place that UFAs would want to go to for the most part and I could see us making a few good moves if it doesn't mean costing us a few draft picks for an RFA.

darn I can't wait for this to all pan out. I hate the offseason; it takes forever for anything to happen. At least during the season what you've been waiting for all week will come on Sunday.

i am in agreement with ya, it's like ya read my mind but for curiosity's sake, why do you think Suh wouldn't be viable? i agree he won't be available so it's all moot, but that is an interesting take i must say my friend.

I want Antoine Bethea. I feel like if a UFA. He could be had without breaking the bank. And he's a very solid safety.

If we are going to address needs in FA.. I hope it's a WR.. and if not a NT like Hampton or Wilfork.

Dream offseason for me would be getting Brandon Marshall, Antoine Bethea, Casey Hampton and drafting Rolando McClain. IMO, if we do even 3 of those 4 things.. it would immediately make us a contender. But, I know.. its more likely we will only get 1 of those fellas.

I agree with you (TheBigFish), GM Ireland and BP should find a way to get NT Vince Wilfork in fins uniform...he a BEAST in the middle and he will fixed for years in the middle of the line...here a new thought that I have come up with ....I think BP should look at OLB Elvis Dumervil from Denver...he know Nolan system and he lead NFL in sacks ( 17.0 sacks) yes he is RFA and he small for OLB ( 5-11)(not BP type of big LB)..What would it take to get him to come down to Miami??

Dream offseason for me would be getting Brandon Marshall, Antoine Bethea, Casey Hampton and drafting Rolando McClain. IMO, if we do even 3 of those 4 things.. it would immediately make us a contender. But, I know.. its more likely we will only get 1 of those fellas.

I like this alot. as it would give us a chance to have the utmost draft flexibility as well as draft BPAs (best player available) without so much desperation being placed on the incoming draft class to perform immediately. Truth of the matter is your dream offseason is quite doable in my opinion, and would definitely serve to remedy some of the not so great FA moves in recent times (i.e. gibril wilson and earnest wilford). I believe all the players you named can be had at reasonable prices and would fit quite nicely in our scheme of things.

He would not be expensive and he's played under Nolan, Willis is a beast but he needs guys like this to shine. IMO he is the second choice if Wilfork is too expensive. Check out some SF games, this guy is a load and already better than Soliai.

I agree with you (TheBigFish), GM Ireland and BP should find a way to get NT Vince Wilfork in fins uniform...he a BEAST in the middle and he will fixed for years in the middle of the line...here a new thought that I have come up with ....I think BP should look at OLB Elvis Dumervil from Denver...he know Nolan system and he lead NFL in sacks ( 17.0 sacks) yes he is RFA and he small for OLB ( 5-11)(not BP type of big LB)..What would it take to get him to come down to Miami??

Would you fans want him here??? what are your opinions???

sure i think he would be a good addition, but 1) not even josh mcdaniels is that stupid, 2) you hit it on the head w/ the size issue and 3) considering the contract year he had, BP probably won't be willing to "pay da man" truth of the matter, as frustrating as it is to say, we could relly do some major renovations complements free agency but it seems like our front office doesn't hold it in as high esteem as we do. rather unfortunate i think.

sure i think he would be a good addition, but 1) not even josh mcdaniels is that stupid, 2) you hit it on the head w/ the size issue and 3) considering the contract year he had, BP probably won't be willing to "pay da man"truth of the matter, as frustrating as it is to say, we could relly do some major renovations complements free agency but it seems like our front office doesn't hold it in as high esteem as we do. rather unfortunate i think.

I don't like the idea of spending a lot of money of FA's. I live in Redskins country and that's all Dan Snyder does but it get's him nowhere. 1 or 2 FA's in positions of need and build through the draft.

okay. thanks rich and hypo, that does make sense to me, now that you mention it. i just hope our braintrust puts some serious thinking into the NT position though, because the only way i see ferg coming back is if we monkey up and dont get another NT and if we run w/ solaiai, then god help us all

sure i think he would be a good addition, but 1) not even josh mcdaniels is that stupid, 2) you hit it on the head w/ the size issue and 3) considering the contract year he had, BP probably won't be willing to "pay da man"truth of the matter, as frustrating as it is to say, we could relly do some major renovations complements free agency but it seems like our front office doesn't hold it in as high esteem as we do. rather unfortunate i think.

I don't like the idea of spending a lot of money of FA's. I live in Redskins country and that's all Dan Snyder does but it get's him nowhere. 1 or 2 FA's in positions of need and build through the draft.

i agree with your assesment, but i personally would make an exception for a quality NT that fits our scheme as those don't come along everyday. ditto that for an established reciever, although not to the same degree by any stretch of the imagination, imo.

considering the contract year he had, BP probably won't be willing to "pay da man" truth of the matter, as frustrating as it is to say, we could relly do some major renovations complements free agency but it seems like our front office doesn't hold it in as high esteem as we do. rather unfortunate i think.

I disagree. First and foremost the man running the show knows firsthand what it takes to win a super bowl and how to build a contender. His philosophy has improved the circumstances of every team that has ever employed him in a power-wielding role.As much as educated fans want to speculate, we don't have nearly the basis of experience that guys like Parcells do.If a proven winner like him says we won't get better by breaking the bank in free agency, i'm inclined to believe him.

Besides, look at the Redskins.... they break the bank in the F.A. market EVERY offseason, and what do they have to show for it?.....Absolutely nothing.

I'm all for adding value to this team via free agency, but I believe it has to be done very selectively with a degree of prudence rather than going on a spending spree and putting our cap situation in dire straits down the road.

_________________"Don Shula is the only coach I've ever met who can take his'n and beat your'n, and then take your'n and beat his'n." -Bum Phillips

considering the contract year he had, BP probably won't be willing to "pay da man" truth of the matter, as frustrating as it is to say, we could relly do some major renovations complements free agency but it seems like our front office doesn't hold it in as high esteem as we do. rather unfortunate i think.

I disagree. First and foremost the man running the show knows firsthand what it takes to win a super bowl and how to build a contender. His philosophy has improved the circumstances of every team that has ever employed him in a power-wielding role.As much as educated fans want to speculate, we don't have nearly the basis of experience that guys like Parcells do.If a proven winner like him says we won't get better by breaking the bank in free agency, i'm inclined to believe him.

Besides, look at the Redskins.... they break the bank in the F.A. market EVERY offseason, and what do they have to show for it?.....Absolutely nothing.

I'm all for adding value to this team via free agency, but I believe it has to be done very selectively with a degree of prudence rather than going on a spending spree and putting our cap situation in dire straits down the road.

i see your point bones, but i tend to believe you can do a lot with a little. for instance, we know that in order for our defense to take that next step we have to get better at key positions, one of those being NT. a good NT doesnt become available all that often so do you spend a little more than you ordnarily do if you feel it immediately improves the overall quality of the team. Now i, for one dont think the way to build a successful team is by prioritizing the free agent market but rather smart drafting practices and complementing that with free agent acquisitions. One hand washes the other if you will. While i do believe in smart drafting first, my opinion is that this regime has not had much by way of success in the free agent market and it is also my opinion that unles they bring in a key free agent or two the rebuilding process that's going on will take an undo amount of time. that's just my opinion though.

Karlos Dansby is going to be a very rich man in the next few months. His contract will be a fun one to watch because he's a dominant player, can't be franchised, and is one of the very few elite linebackers available. If this offseason remains uncapped then expect an outright bidding war for his services.

He and Wilfork are the top 2 on my Miami wish list. Wilfork should get tagged and Dansby will smell like a vault by august so we probably can't afford him.